Strengthening Students' Mental Health Literacy Through Character and Citizenship Education

We thank Mr Yang Yong Qiang for his letter and agree with his views on the importance of equipping students with knowledge and skills to manage their emotional and mental well-being ("Listen to the voice of the youth who holds a sign on Orchard Road", 13 Apr).

The Ministry of Education (MOE) is committed to developing students holistically, including strengthening their resilience and socio-emotional competencies. Since 2021, lessons on mental health education have been introduced as part of the Character and Citizenship Education curriculum from primary to pre-university levels.

Through these lessons, students develop healthy mindsets and skills to manage their emotions and strengthen their mental well-being. At the primary level, students learn foundational social-emotional skills such as emotional regulation, self-control and help-seeking whilst establishing habits for healthy lifestyle habits and resilience-building. In secondary schools, students learn coping strategies to manage contemporary pressures including their fears and uncertainties, unhealthy expectations, social comparisons, the impact of digital lifestyle, as well as stigma, and barriers to help-seeking. At the pre-university level, students examine factors shaping their sense of hope and purpose, distinguish between mental health challenges and conditions, and develop skills to navigate help-seeking resources.

Students also learn beyond the classroom through authentic learning opportunities such as co-curricular activities, learning journeys, and outdoor adventure learning camps, where they can practise and reinforce these skills in real-world context.

MOE regularly reviews and refreshes our curriculum to address students' evolving needs. We will continue working closely with schools, parents, and the community to equip our students with mental health literacy and effective coping strategies, so that they grow to become resilient and confident individuals.

Ms Loh Wee Cheng
Divisional Director, Student Development Curriculum Division 1
Ministry of Education

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品格与公民教育增强学生心理健康素养

谨答复《联合早报·交流站》于4月13日刊登的杨永强读者投函《聆听乌节路举牌青年的心声》：

我们感谢杨先生的投函，并赞同他提出培养学生管理情绪和心理健康知识与技能极为重要的观点。

教育部致力于培养学生的全面发展，包括增强他们的韧性和社交情感能力。自2021年起，心理健康教育已纳入小学到大学先修班的品格与公民教育课程。

通过这些课程，学生可以培养健康的心态，以及情绪管理和增强心理健康的技能。在小学阶段，学生学习调节情绪、自我控制和寻求帮助等基础社交情感技能，同时培养健康生活方式和增强韧性的习惯。在中学阶段，学生学习应对当代社会各种压力的策略。这些压力包括恐惧和不确定性、不健康的期望、社会比较、数码生活方式的影响，以及寻求帮助的耻辱感和障碍。在大学先修班阶段，学生会探究塑造自身期望和意义的因素，区分心理健康挑战和心理健康疾病，并培养利用各种求助资源的技能。

学生也在课堂之外学习，通过课外活动、学习之旅和户外探险学习营等真实的学习机会，在现实情境中实践和巩固这些技能。

教育部定期检讨和更新课程，以满足学生不断变化的需求。我们会继续与学校、家长和社区紧密合作，让学生具备心理健康素养和有效的应对策略，以助他们成长为具有韧性和自信的个体。

教育部

学生发展课程司（第一司）统筹司长

卢炜桢